
fhss F_ 4 S f 
.8 

Book J si 



A DISCOURSE 


OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH 


OP 


ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 


PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 


Delivered at Rhinebeck, N. Y., April 19, 1865, 


AT A PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION OF THE CITIZENS, 


BY 


REV. HEMAN R< TIMLOW. 


»!jtnrt?ck, N. g. 


18 6 5. 



A DISCOURSE 



OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
Delivered at Rhtnebeck, N. Y., April 19, 1803, 

AT A PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION OF THE CITIZENS, 



BY 

REV. HEMAN R. TIMLOW. 



18 6 5. 




'& 



TELEGRAPH STAEM PKESS, 
POUGHKEEPSIE. 



Rhinebeck, April 20, 1865. 
Rev. and Dear Sir, — 

The undersigned, in compliance with the unani- 
mous wish of the community, respectfully solicit the 
manuscript of your discourse, delivered yesterday, on 
the occasion of the death of our late President, for 
publication. 

II. DeLamater, 

J. M. Keese, 

Alfred Drlry, 

W. B. Platt, 

E. M. Smith, 

Alfred Welch, 

G. C. Lansing, and others. 



Rhinebeck, April 20, 1865. 
H. DeLamarter, &c. 

Gentlemen,— 

Agreeably to request, I submit the manuscript 
of my discourse to your disposal. It is due to myself 
to state that it was prepared in a few hours. Nor 
have I felt at liberty to revise it. With the exception 
of a few verbal corrections it is precisely as written. 
I am conscious that full justice has not been done the 
distinguished subject It is only as a tribute (feeble 
indeed) to departed worth, that I consent to its publi- 
cation. The service of Wednesday was, in the strict- 
est sense, a union service. Neither Party or Denom- 
ination, as such, intruded. I felt myself to be the 
mouthpiece of a stricken and mourning community. 
Under this feeling I wrote and delivered the discourse. 
If I have succeeded in expressing the public estimate 
of the lamented dead to any satisfying degree, it will 
be to me one of the best compensated labors of my 
life. 

Let us ever hold in grateful remembrance the name 
of Abraham Lincoln. 

Ever yours, 

Hem an R. Tim tow . 



DISCOURSE. 



It is a dark cloud beneath which we meet 
to-daj. 

Its presence overwhelms us. 

The weight at our heart is crushing. 

It is not merely a conventional summons 
that has called together this sorrowing mul- 
titude. A grief, keen as a personal bereave- 
ment — mourning, bitter as that of Rachel 
for the children that were not, distinguish 
this assembly. With a nation, we share a 
mysterious and awful sorrow. It came with 
the unexpectedness and suddenness of a 
thunderbolt from the cloudless heavens. 

And there is that in this sorrow that adds 
immeasurably .to its poignancy and stuns 
with unwonted horror. We mourn, not 
only as when twice before the Head of the 
Republic was removed by death : Allied to 



6 DISCOURSE. 

this terrible event is an act of such atrocity, 
that to give it a fitting record language is 
too poor. The genius of our institutions, 
the type of our civilization, the culture of 
the age, the popular sentiment, are so averse 
to such a savage spirit, that the thought of 
its prevalence is too abhorrent to be enter, 
tained. We can only account for it by re- 
ferring it to that school of wickedness in 
which a large portion of our land has been 
educated to carry on the causeless and dis- 
astrous revolt that has w T ell nigh rent us in 
twain. In other countries such acts are not 
unfamiliar. History is full of them. And 
we read them with comparative indifference. 
But to-day we mourn the infamy that will 
forever stain a page in our history. As if 
high treason, the easy perjury of high offi- 
cials, insult to the nation's ensign, the ini- 
tiation of a war of brethren, the slaughter 
of a half million of men, the perpetration 
of the cruelties of Libby, Andersonville, and 
Salisbury, as if all these were not enough to 
fill the cup of the Republic's humiliation 



DISCOURSE. i 

and atf shame ! Tothis must be added a 
crime that approaches in its enormity that 
of the Judnean Judas Such a crime has 
shocked this great nation throughout its 
vast extent. The popular heart is thrilled 
to its inmost fibre. 

It staggers faith to believe all this real ; 
but, alas ! it's too real, too real. 

In the weakness and despondency to 
which our natures are given, we at lirst feel 
that we cannot drink this cup. Were it not 
for that blessed truth, never so radiant and 
comforting as now, "The Lord omnipotent 
reigneth," we could not drink it ; but in 
the darkness and gloom of the hour, the 
teachings of our holy religion come in to dis- 
pel every repining thought, and turn the 
heart above the spirit of sweet surrender 
"even so Father, for so it seemed good in 
thy sight," We do believe that God in per- 
mitting this sad event "has done all things 
well." With a truthful, hopeful spirit, we 
"kiss the rod that smites." "Shall not the 
judge of all the earth do right ?" 



5 DISCOURSE. 

O, bow appalling the intelligence borne 
to us on swift wing four days ago, that our 
beloved President was dead ; and when the 
circumstances of his death were narrated, 
dumbness for a time seized the masses. — 
Spontaneously the store, the shop, the fields 
were vacated. The pressure upon the heart 
was so great as to check every impulse of 
business. Men gathered in public places as 
if seeking for sympathy. At times it was 
impossible to realize the dreadful fact. It 
seemed rather that each had awakened out 
of a frightful dream. And the few days 
that have since elapsed find us but little bet- 
ter prepared to realize the event. It still 
seems but a troubled dream. 

And yet the President is dead. O, how 
hard the task to write on this paper, the 
word dead. The Providence of God has 
permitted the event, and we now must write 
and mourn him dead. It is because he is 
dead, that we are here to-day. His body 
does not lie before us. But still he is here, 
for he has a home in every heart. Yes, we 



DISCOUHSE. 9 

bear him about with us in our hearts And 
this will be no less a funeral service than if 
his "mortal remains 1 ' were here. 

At the seat of Government, at this very 
hour, loving hearts are conducting his fu- 
neral obsequies. There, are assembled En- 
voys from abroad, Cabinet Ministers, Sena- 
tors, Magistrates, the great and good from 
all parts of the land. But these constitute 
not the chief mourners. Thousands are 
there of the toiling masses of the country, to 
honor the memory of one lifted from among 
them to the highest position of trust, in their 
power to confer. And there are mourners 
there to-day such as have never before con- 
gregated at the funeral of a Chief Magis- 
trate. The multitudes of ''freed men," 
whose simple-worded prayer "God bress 
Massa Lincoln," has often ascended to 
Heaven for him they counted their deliver- 
er, are there and mourn him as a father lost. 
And were it possible, there would to-day be 
one vast funeral procession of all races, 
reaching from the Aroostook hills to the 



10 DISCOURSE. 

golden shores of the Pacific. But as all 
cannot assemble in our National Capital, it 
has been appropriately recommended that 
everywhere fitting services should be held, 
and such honors paid as the feelings of eve- 
ry community might prompt. 

But once before in our history has there 
been such a spectacle as is now presented. 
But one American before, has ever had so 
deep a hold upon the affections and confi- 
dence of the people. Washington will 
hold the first place in the hearts of his 
countrymen. Next to him stands our be- 
loved Lincoln. It is touching and impres- 
sive to behold the nation throbbing as one 
heart at this event. However rancorous 
have been party spirit and strife, these are 
now buried, and one universal wail of sor- 
row is heard. All now concede this high 
place to the departed President ; with one 
consent the highest honors are paid him. 

AVhen we place Abraham Lincoln in the 
rank we have assigned him, it is not intend- 
ed to disparage other statesmen who have 



DISCOURSE. 11 

faithfully served their generation and coun- 
try. With pride do we recall their names. 
Many of them possessed talents of an order 
so hiffh that neither Washington or Lincoln 
can be classed with them. But these two 
men were raised up by Glod to act in partic- 
ular crises of the country's history. As pa- 
triots and rulers they well fulfilled their 
trusts. They are thus jn'ominent because 
of these crises and the fidelity with which 
they met them. 

We may for a little time inquire for the 
secret of that character and life and seiwice 
that so endeared our late President to his 
countrymen, and that now calls forth such 
signal demonstrations of grief over his death. 
Such an inquiry will disclose the greatuess 
of the loss we sustain, and vindicate the pro- 
found sorrow universally prevailing. 

With the main facts of his life you are al- 
ready familiar. Any lengthy detail of these 
would only be tedious. From his birth, Feb. 
12th, 1809, until his entrance upon public 
life, but little occurred in his history to dis- 



12 DISCOURSE. 

tinguish him from ordinary pioneer life. — 
Less than a year was spent at school. But 
he was undergoing a training in the hands 
of Providence, that neither schools or books 
could effect. In his obscure home and oc- 
cupation he was developing vigorously in 
body and mind It cannot be doubted, that 
there he was maturing that physical strength 
that was needful to sustain him in the try- 
ing duties of the past four years. While de- 
prived of advantages for acquiring knowl- 
edge, his thirst for it was unconcpierable. — 
We read of his walking seven or eight miles 
to borrow an English Grammar. When 
not at labor he was reading the few books a 
western settlement in those days afforded. 
Among these were Pilgrim's Progress, Esop's 
Fables and Kamsey's life of Washington. — 
In tracing his future career, we follow him 
on his flat-boat excursions, working with 
the axe, engaged in surveying, keeping a 
store, in village debates, serving in Black 
Hawk's war, until in 183G we find him ad- 
mitted to the bar. After this he was sever- 



DISCOURSE. 13 

al times sent by his constituents to repre- 
sent them in the State Legislature. Tie 
succeeded well in his profession. In 1846 
he represented his district in Congress. — 
Very soon after we find him the representa- 
tive of the anti-slavery sentiment in his 
State, in the convention of 1856 that nom- 
inated John C. Fremont for President, he 
received one hundred and two votes for the 
Yice-Presidency. Before this he was but 
little known at the East. He was introduc- 
ed to the Eastern and Middle States by a 
speech he delivered in New York City, Feb. 
27th, 1860. The following May he was 
nominated for the Presidency by the Re- 
publican Party, and elected in November 
He was re-elected Nov. 1864. 

Some of the more important incidents of 
his life and administration will appear as 
we attempt to analyze his character and 
acts. 

It is a more difficult task to give an analy- 
sis of Mr. Lincoln's character than at first 
appears. He is of that class of men who 



u 



DISCOURSE. 



have not specially marked traits that sepa- 
rate them from others. Most public men 
possess some one trait that is distinguish- 
ing. One excels as an orator, another as a 
reasoner, another as an economist, another 
in those qualities that constitute a success- 
ful diplomatist. But in Mr. Lincoln we dis- 
cern no single quality of mind that is prom- 
inent above others. What Mr. Irving says 
of Washington may very appropriately be 
said of Mr. Lincoln ; his character "'may 
want some of those poetical elements which 
dazzle and delight the multitude, but it pos- 
sessed fewer inequalities, and a rarer union 
of virtues than perhaps ever fell to the lot of 
one man. Prudence, firmness, sagacity, 
moderation, an overruling judgment, an 
immovable justice, courage that never fal- 
tered, patience that never wearied, truth 
that disdained all artifice, magnanimity with- 
out alloy." 

There was that simplicity and transpar- 
ency of character in Mr. Lincoln that makes 
it impossible to define it. He was a man to 



DISCOURSE. 15 

whom, we could get nearer than any other 
public man of his generation. In this fact 
we see an element of his greatness. Noth- 
ing about him was disguised, and every one 
saw him just as he was. Whatever were 
his weaknesses or virtues, all plainly ap- 
peared. It was this evident openness and 
candor that commended him to the unreserv- 
ed confidence of the nation. Just so far as 
the people saw him they relied upon him, 
and they saw all of him. Not a shadow of 
concealment or affectation was ever detect- 
ed. 

Implied in this idea of simplicity and 
transparency is that of the most unquestion- 
able honesty of motive and purpose. If we 
except the occasional passionate utterances 
of a heated campaign, it was rare to find any 
one who would dispute his entire honesty of 
character. Whatever errors of policy might 
be imputed to him, were not attributed to 
improper motives, but only to defects of 
judgment. 



1 6 DISCOURSE. 

And in connection with this integrity of 
heart was a singleness of purpose that will 
ever dignify his name. From the time of 
his first inaugural address until he fell in un- 
consciousness by the bullet of the assassin, 
he had in mind but one object, and that was 
to restore and maintain the constitutional 
union of the States. A candid study of his 
course must persuade the most skeptical that 
such was the governing desire and a r m of 
his heart. His famous letter to Mr. Gree- 
ly, and other public papers, explicitly affirm 
this. And his conduct was in harmony 
with such words. 

He has sometimes been spoken of as unde- 
cided and vacillating in his policy. Friends 
as well as foes have charged this. But in- 
stead of such a charge being well grounded 
in fact, there is the most indubitable testi- 
mony to his independence and firmness. — ■ 
Facts could be indefinitely multiplied in 
support of this. But I shall be content to 
quote from a journal, a most resolute oppo- 
ser of Mr. Lincoln's administration, whose 



DISCOURSE. 17 

witness will be confessed to be valuable as 
being that of an opponent.* This paper 
says: "He has given a signal proof of a 
strong and manly nature in the fact, that 
although he surrounded himself with the 
most considerable and experienced states- 
men of his party, none of them were able to 
take advantage of his inexperience, and gain 
any conspicuous ascendency over him. 

"All his chief decisions have been his own ; 
formed indeed after much anxious and brood- 
ing consultation, but in the final result, the 
fruit of his own independent volitions. He 
has changed or retained particular members 
of his cabinet, and endorsed or rejected par- 
ticular dogmas of his party, with the same 
ultimate reliance on the decisions of his own 
judgment. It is this feature of his charac- 
ter, which was gradually disclosed to the 
public view, together with the cautious and 
paternal cast of his disposition, that gave 
him his strong and increasing hold on the 



*New York World, April 1' 



18 DISCOURSE. 

confidence of the masses." This estimate I 
believe to be perfectly just. 

And the sterling common sense of the 
man, out of which flowed that o;ood judg- 
ment that has made so many of his public 
acts memorable, should be noticed. Con- 
sidering the vast number of official appoint- 
ments to be made, extending to thousands, 
he must have the credit of acting a judicious 
part. One need but glance at the civil, mil- 
itary and naval lists, to learn what a de- 
mand is made upon sound discretion to fill 
them. It was utterly impossible for him to 
examine in detail the qualifications, ante- 
cedents and recommendations of every ap- 
plicant or appointee. To a large degree he 
must rely upon the opinion of others. And 
yet with quick discernment he sifted these 
opinions and reached his own conclusions. 
Had he entirely relied on the judgment of 
others, Grant, Sherman, Schofield and oth- 
er skillful generals had been in retirement. 

Nor is his judgment less remarkable with 
respect to political and military measures. 



mscouKSE. 1 9 

He was not hasty in adopting a policy. — 
Entering as an inexperienced man upon the 
most responsible duties ever laid upon a ru- 
ler, and assuming office at a crisis when the 
counsels of the wisest statesmen were in- 
definite and contradictory, he indicated his 
good sense in awaiting the developement of 
events. The cry from the radical press was, 
''wanted, a policy." Had this demand been 
satisfactorily met, I have no hesitation in 
affirming that to-day the Union would have 
been in fragments. The paper already quot- 
ed speaks on this wise, and 1 think justly : 
"Had Mr. Lincoln started with his emanci- 
pation policy in the spring of 1861, his ad- 
ministration would have been wrecked by 
the moral aid which would have been given 
to the South by the northern conservatives, 
including a large part of the Republican 
party. Had he refused to adopt the eman- 
cipation policy much beyond the autumn of 
1862, the Republican party would have re- 
fused support to the war, and the South 
would have gained independence by their 



20 DISCOURSE. 

aid * * * * Res-ai'ding the growth of 

opinion simply in the light of a fact, we 
must concede that Mr Lincoln's slowness, 
indecision and changes of policy, have been 
in skillful or at least fortunate adaptation 
to the prevailing public sentiment of the 
country." 

The same good judgment has appeared in 
his correspondence with state officials, and 
likewise in his delicate intercourse with for- 
eign nations. To what extent we are in- 
debted to his calmness and wisdom and sa- 
gacity, cannot now be definitely ascertained. 
But we are persuaded that to his modera- 
tion and firmness we in a good measure owe 
our peaceful relations abroad. 

Mr. Lincoln thoroughly understood his 
position as President of the United States. 
From the first he assumed only to be the 
servant of the people. The capacity to per- 
ceive the exact relations he sustained to the 
people, and a resolute purpose to execute 
the popular will, are marked features of his 



DISCOURSE. 21 

character. "Know thyself," was the lacon- 
ic inscription on the Delphic temple. This 
wise injunction of antiquity found itself ful- 
filled in the person of our departed Presi- 
dent. His biographer says of him in his 
younger days : "He had talked with men 
who were regarded as great, and he did not 
see where they differed so much from others. 
He reasoned probably, that the secret of 
their success lay in the fact of original ca- 
pacity and untiring industry. He was con- 
scious of his own powers. He was a logi- 
cian and could not resist logical conclusions. 
If he studied, why might not Ke achieve ?" 

Whatever in after life was laid upon him 
to do, he tried to do, and succeeded. When 
he became President, he saw that as this 
government rested on the consent of the «;ov- 
erned, and was supported by the popular 
sentiment, it was necessary to consult and 
follow what was evidently the will of the 
people. Hence it was, that fault was found 
with him, that he was not more of a leader. 
But this he could not consistently be. He 



22 DISCOURSE. 

was simply the servant of the opinion al- 
ready formed. He could move only so fast 
as public opinion sustained him. As has al- 
ready been said, his emancipation proclama- 
tion had been fatal to the harmony of the 
North if issued a year earlier. Just at the 
fitting time to avoid the successful opposi- 
tion of the enemies of the measure and fully 
satisfy its friends, he gave it to the nation. 

And this estimate of his official relations, 
together with his simplicity and transparen- 
cy of character, brought him into most fa- 
miliar and sympathetic communion with the 
people. They saw him just as he was. — 
What he said, was couched in language too 
plain to be misunderstood. What he did, 
had the rich savor of honesty that command- 
ed their confidence. And his gentle, loving 
nature, his generous impulses and genial so- 
cial qualities won their hearts. O, how the 
people who knew him and appreciated his 
qualities of mind and heart, loved Abraham 
Lincoln. 

Notwithstanding he was ruler of the most 



DISCOURSE. 2o 

powerful nation on the face of the earth, he 
never assumed to be more than the hum- 
blest American citizen. He was one of the 
people, and they loved him. You loved 
him, my friends. Did you not? Did you 
ever love a public servant more? Tell me, 
ye who are old, and remember when the 
nation mourned Washington, and who re- 
member the death of all the Presidents, tell 
me, since Washington's day, has one been so 
greatly loved, as our own Lincoln ? Did 
one ever die so lamented ? 

He was simple hearted as a child. 80 
kind was he, that he once said, on a public 
occasion, he had "never knowingly planted 
a thorn in anyone's breast," Maligned, the 
subject of pitiless ridicule, belied, called 
traitor, tyrant, despot, and all the hard 
names malice could devise, he never return- 
ed to such an unkind word. He had to a 
high degree the spirit of our Divine Lord, 
of whom it is said, "when he was reviled, 
reviled not again." Could such a heart fail 
to sympathize with the people ? And is it 



24 DISCOURSE. 

possible for any to be insensible to such ex- 
hibitions of kindness and forbearance and 
forgiveness? 

And how forcibly this spirit presents it- 
self in all his later history. Not only did 
he offer sympathy to his brethren of the 
North, but even to his misguided and re- 
volting subjects of the South, Head his 
messages and find if you can one word, 
breathing hatred toward those in rebellion. 
How dignified all his utterances. How vi- 
vid the contrast of his messages and procla- 
mations with those emanating from the 
make-believe president at Richmond ! 

Could he have lived to become truly 
known by his Southern subjects, he would 
have been as tenderly loved by them, as he 
has been fiercely hated. They would have 
found him their most devoted friend. A 
significant passage occurs in one of the bill* 
letins of the Secretary of War announcing 
his death, to the effect, that in Cabinet 
meeting on Friday he spoke kindly of Gen. 



DISCOURSE, 



25 



Lee. And so he felt toward even the stout- 
est rebel. 

O yes : that dear man, now enshrouded 
in the vestments of the grave, was ever in 
closest, tenderest sympathy with all his fel- 
low-men. 

And this fact, my friends, calls to mind 
that other trait, which will be his chief hon- 
or in history, his love of liberty. You have 
no doubt agreed with me in all that I have 
said concerning him. Upon this subject so 
near and dear to the noble President's heart, 
there are contrary views. Some of you 
have honestly disagreed with him. You 
have not perhaps disagreed upon abstract 
principles so much as upon practical meas- 
ures. With the heart we have attributed 
to him, you can readily see that he must 
have had a great interest in the condition 
and destiny of the African in our country. 

In his public speeches and debates he has 
abundantly acknowledged the Constitution- 
al difficulties in the way of the speedy and 
general deliverance of the bondsmen. Af- 



26 DISCOURSE. 

ter the present troubles were tar advanced, 
he still disclaimed the right to effect what 
his heart had long desired and prayed to be 
effected. But at last that time came which 
John Quincy Adams long years ago affirm- 
ed to be the legitimate time, and which 
Providence had hastened. In the exercise 
of a right which he believed to be conferred 
upon him as the Commander-in-Chief of the 
Army and Navy, and for purely military 
purposes, he issued the memorable procla- 
mation that decreed liberty to 3,000,000 
slaves. 

Now, I say it was just like Abraham Lin- 
coln to do this thing. But few men would 
have had the courage to do it in the face of 
the opposition manifested. He felt it to be 
right and just, and he did it. 

We may oppose the measure as unconsti- 
tutional or inexpedient. This each one has 
a right to do. But in history its author will 
ever be identified with it, and his name will 
be radiant with the honor and glory of hav- 
ing struck the chains from the African 



DISCOURSE. 27 

bondsmen in this land. His administration 
will hereafter be signalized as inaugura'ing 
the final and decisive measure for removing 
this stain from our country. He was the 
proper man to do it. Through him has the 
dragon been slain.' It is now in its death- 
throes. It still had strength, through an 
emissary trained for the hellish work, to 
martyr its destroyer. O, what would not 
this curse of slavery do to perpetuate itself! 
What has it not done? And to finish the 
awful tragedy of evils, it acts the assassin's 
part, and sacrifices to its vengeance the 
grand old Hero of Freedom. He was per- 
mitted to live lono; enough to lead his coun- 
try and the "emancipated hosts" to the bor- 
ders of their Caanan of Liberty. As from 
some Pisgah,he gazed and saw the promised 
land ; but, like the Patriarch of old, he was 
not permitted to enter. He had led them 
through the sea and wilderness. His work 
was done. His work was well done. We 
mourn that such an honored, useful life 
could not have ended according to the order 



28 DISCOURSE. 

of nature. But God's ways are not our 
ways. We humbly bow in submission. 

There is much in the career of Abraham 
Lincoln, to constitute a model and encour- 
agement for the American youth. Recall 
his humble origin, the poverty against 
which he struggled, his lack of advantages 
for education, his want of social position 
and influential friends, and who upon these 
can base any reasonable hope that this 
young man will rise to the first place in his- 
tory ? But roused by the consciousness that 
what others have done he could do, animat- 
ed by an honorable ambition, carried on by 
an irresistible energy, cherishing noble pur- 
poses and with a resolute determination to 
make the most of himself, it is not long be- 
fore, in his life, appear those prophecies of 
future usefulness and position, that the past 
few years have fulfilled. 

By discreet and upright deportment, he 
secured the confidence of all with whom he 
came in contact. When persuaded as to 
the righteousness of a given course, he 



DISCOURSE. 29 

could not be diverted from it. He was gov- 
erned by high principle. I believe it is im- 
possible to cite a single instance in his pub- 
lic career, wherein he ever consciously sac- 
rificed a sense of right. Unlike many states- 
men, he never sacrificed general principles 
to a transient expediency. By his fidelity 
to the True, the Right, the Good, he gained 
not only favor and applause, but, what is 
better than all, love. 

Such a character and life, and such suc- 
cess, is worthy of study and imitation by 
every youth. Particularly are these of vast 
encouragement to those un blest with world- 
ly goods. Such is the nature of our politi- 
cal institutions, that no door of promotion 
is closed to any. Industry, economy and a 
becoming life, can overcome the obstacles 
that poverty or obscurity, that adversity 
and friendlessness may interpose to advance- 
ment. The life of Abraham Lincoln is am- 
ple proof of this. Fie is a natural and no- 
ble product of this country and its institu- 
tions. It is not a little singular, nor a slight 



30 DISCOURSE. 

matter of gratulation to Americans, that 
the two men ranking highest in our govern- 
ment should have risen from the humblest 
walks of life. Mr. Lincoln's successor, like 
himself, (under Providence) is "the archi- 
tect of his own fortune." Because of such 
examples we ought indeed to cherish and be 
thankful for political institutions that yield 
such fruits. 

How far Mr. Lincoln's religious character 
may be held up as a model, I cannot confi ' 
dently say. It is to be regretted that so 
few of our public men exert so little direct 
influence upon the church. But that our 
late President was a Christian man I believe. 
His peculiar structure of mind, would for- 
bid any very special demonstrations of re- 
ligious feeling. It would rather appear in 
all his acts, impressing upon them a glow 
and beauty that were otherwise unattaina- 
ble. His outward life is universally admit- 
ted to be blameless. As far as the outward 
can be taken as an expression of the in- 
ward lif'3, T think we can trace in him a de- 



DISCOURSE. 31 

vout christian spirit. When about to leave 
his quiet home at the West for assumption 
of his high office at Washington, in con- 
scious weakness and with touching modesty 
he besought his fellow townsmen to pray for 
him. Often since he has publicly express- 
ed his fullest reliance upon God. Often has 
he directed the nation in her darkest hours 
of history to Him who is Head over all and 
King for evermore. To friends, in unreserv- 
ed private intercourse, he has spoken defi- 
nitely upon the matter ot personal salvation. 
It has been my privilege to converse with 
several who have communicated thus with 
him. They have gone from his presence, 
persuaded that he was an humble Christian. 
He is known to have been a man of pray- 
er. He leaned not upon his counsellors of 
earth, as he did upon the Infinite Counsel- 
lor. I frankly confess that he lacked some 
things that are popularly considered tests 
of a christian character. But my friends, 
such a life of reverent unfaltering trust in 
God, such a love of Truth, such a prayerful 



P>2 discourse. 

spirit, such conscientious fidelity to duty, 
such devotion to whatever he knew to be 
right, such self abnegation, are much upon 
which to base a judgment. Simple assent 
to a creed and public profession, without 
these, are nothing; but these without such 
assent and profession, are every thing before 
God. 

With the abatement of what Mr. Lincoln 
has concealed concerning his interior relig- 
ions life, I would commend him as a model 
to young men before me. His good name, 
his many virtues, his success, the confidence 
and love he won, are your possible inheri- 
tance. Follow him as far as he followed 
Christ. 

The death of Mr. Lincoln has subjected 
our Government to an unlooked for and 
most thorough test. This is an important 
matter for us to consider. Already in these 
years of war had we as a nation undergone 
alinost every possible trial. God has been 
proving us before the world. Other nations 
supposed our form of government unsound 



DISCOURSE. 38 

and weak, and from the first predicted our 
downfall. We have successfully encounter- 
ed every storm. The most terrible ordeal 
of any government is an internal convul- 
sion — a revolution. Well may despotism 
survey in speechless wonder the spectacle 
this country presents ! But now as if to 
apply the final test, behold a conspiracy is 
permitted by violence and blood, to strike 
down the Head of the Government. What 
would be the effect of such an act in France ? 
What nation of Europe would not reel un- 
der such a blow? But under our system, 
however great the shock to the hearts of the 
people, the Government feels it not. Not 
the first thought of insecurity arises in the 
mind. And if the Yice President and Cab- 
inet Ministers had fallen (as we feared was 
the great object ot the conspirators) there 
would still remain a stable government. 
The people would still remain, and speedi- 
ly other public servants would be chosen to 
take the place of the lamented dead. It does 
seem to me, that this dreadful visitation has 



34 DISCOURSE. 

bee permitted by God, to exhibit still furth- 
er the strength of our institutions. By it 
he further tests us. It will be overruled for 
the good of Freedom. Henceforth, may 
the oppressed millions of the other conti- 
nent appeal in greater confidence to the 
despotic power that holds sway over them. 
And the champions of larger liberties for 
the people of England and on the Continent, 
may now without any restraint press the 
claims of those they represent. Thus may 
the unnatural death of our beloved Chief 
Magistrate subserve most important ends 
for Freedom. 

But I have already detained you too long. 
It is my desire simply to guide your thoughts 
so that the occasion may be profitably im- 
proved. The lessons to be learned are many. 
The warnings given most impressive. The 
more obvious of these will occur to your 
minds without special mention. 

Our beloved President is dead. As oft 
as the sad fact comes before the mind, the 



DISCOURSE. 35 

appaling circumstances appear in vivid ar- 
ray. 

But T have not the heart to speak of the 
manner of his death. There is nothing in 
the history of tragic horror that surpasses 
it. Such an end for any man, however 
humble in life, or even were he vile, would 
shock and overpower us. But to have our 
Chief Magistrate, and such a Magistrate, so 
warm in the cause of the country, so loyal 
to God and Humanity, so full of concern 
and sympathy for the people, so pure in 
life, so true to friend and magnanimous to 
foe, so illustrious in the virtues that dignify 
and adorn human life, and in whom so 
many hopes were centered, to have him ter- 
minate such a career of glory by the hands 
of such an assassin, pierces the heart with 
keenest agony. 

But, my friends, let us turn from the ter- 
rible tragedy. Think not too much on it 
least passion secure the mastery. It is no 
time to indulge feelings of vengeance at the 
grave of him we so bitterly mourn. It is 



30 DISCOURSE. 

for us to copy the spirit of the slain chief 
who never failed to forgive his enemy. 

I know it is very hard to suppress anger- 
ed and even vengeful emotions that rise. 
If the assassin were really in our hands, and 
we in excitement of passion, who would an- 
swer for his life ? Let us remember we live 
in a Christian land and age. It is our duty 
and privilege to exercise a Christian spirit. 
This spirit pays respect to law and order. 
We have representatives commissioned to 
try and judge the criminal and execute jus- 
tice. My prayer is, that all implicated in 
this bloody work may be overtaken by the 
sword of Justice ; but let the proper au- 
thorities wield that sword. Cherish only 
becoming thoughts of Justice, and nothing 
of personal vengeance. "Vengeance is mine 
and I will repay saith the Lord." God will 
avenge his own. His retributive justice 
slumbers not. We will leave the criminal 
and all his fellow-conspirators in the hand 
of God, allowing no fires of passion to burn 
within us. 



DISCOURSE. S'i 

We will rather come and kneel by the 
coffin of our dear departed President, and 
try to catch his spirit. At his side we 
would learn. When with us in life he 
taught us much, and now being dead, he 
yet speaketh. His great mind and heart 
still preside over the nation. He is not lost 
to us. 

Wiser and happier will the country be 
because he lived. From his administration 
dates a new era in our history. He was 
God's chosen instrument to conduct the na- 
tion through the furnace appointed for pu- 
rification. In every way was he adapted 
for this. Him no bribe could buy. Him 
no terror could affright. Him no reverse 
could discourage or dismay. Him no good 
work could weary. He was confident in 
his cause, and confident in God, because he 
believed his cause just. His faith in the 
principles of our government and his trust 
in the people were marvellous. His heart 
never beat one pulsation of suspicion or dis- 
trust of these. 



38 DISCOURSE. 

If the voice of the people had been con- 
sulted, Abraham Lincoln had not died. It 
was the prevailing desire to have him live, 
and reap some results of his stupendous 
work during the past fonr years. But God 
appointed otherwise. And strange the per- 
mission of Providence in the olace and man- 
ner of his death. Not in Richmond, whith- 
er two weeks ago we followed him with 
beating heart, but in his own Capital. Not 
in his chamber in the stillness and darkness 
of midnight, but in an illuminated public 
place and before hundreds of spectators. 
Not by disease or accident, but by the das- 
tard hand of violence. 

Never did widow and orphan have great- 
er sympathy. Your hearts, my brethren, 
are full of sorrow for her so suddenly bereft 
of such a husband. O how sadly stricken 
she : Pray for supporting grace and that 
she may realize, "Thy Maker is thy hus- 
band." And pray that the sons, old enough 
to, perceive and copy the honored father's 
excellences, may walk in his steps and shed 



DISCOUKSE. 39 

lustre on the name that it is now snch a 
distinction to bear. 

Nor can we fail to remember in fervent 
prayer, the present incumbent of the sadly 
vacated office. Well may Andrew John- 
son tremble to assume his responsibilities. 
To follow Abraham Lincoln were not easy. 
But wisdom and grace may be his to give 
him strength for his duties. May the God 
of wisdom abundantly qualify him for the 
work he has to do. God in mercy save him 
from violence and preside over his adminis- 
tration and crown it with success. 

Let the prayer also ascend for the distin- 
guished Secretary of State, upon whose life 
ruffian hands were also laid, but which fail- 
ed in fully executing the bloody deed. May 
he be spared to resume the functions of his 
office, and give his counsels in the impor- 
tant crisis now upon us. And may his as- 
sistant be raised up to health. His is a lii' 
too full of promise to be cut down thus ear 
ly. But God's will be done. The blessing 



40 DISCOURSE. 

of restoration too, rest on all stricken under 
that roof. 

And may the Providence from whose eye 
no man can escape, and who lias said, "Be 
sure your sin will find you out," guide our 
authorities in their efforts to discover the 
extent and parties of this awful conspiracy, 
that the innocent may be relieved from sus- 
picion, and the guilty be brought to justice^ 
the majesty of law and order be vindicated. 

God bless our common country, and speed- 
ily introduce the reign of Peace. May 
the union of the States be restored and per- 
petuated for evermore. May the Republic 
be restored to more than former splendor, 
the laws be everywhere respected, brotherly 
love universally prevail. May Heavenly 
wisdom preside in the adjustment of our 
difficulties, the ends of justice he secured, 
the people preserved in moderation, unbrok- 
en harmony be preserved to the nation 
through the ages. The grace of God ban- 
ish all malice, injustice and the spirit ot 



DISCOURSE. 41 

strife, encourage forbearance and a generous 
charity. 

President Lincoln is dead. What pangs 
shoot through the heart at this announce- 
ment ! Considering his importance to the 
nation, we are almost led to say, "would 
that I had died for thee " We little knew 
how much we loved him, till he was taken 
from us How near he was to us ! We feel 
that no stranger has died, but a household 
friend, at once brother and father Some 
of us saw the President's benignant face, as 
he paused among us for a moment on his 
way to the seat of Government. And can 
we ever forget it % 

No ! we will never forget thee, dear one, 
no, never. Here in the heart thou shalt 
ever live. Oft will we commune one with 
the other, and talk of thy virtues and deeds. 
We will tell them to children, and children's 
children. Side by side with the illustrious 
Washington, we lay thee in our hearts. — 
Thus enshrined by the American people, no 
higher earthly honor can be thine. 



42 



DISCOURSE. 



And we desire that thy tomb shall be 
somewhere under the shades of Mt. Vernon, 
so that when patriot pilgrims visit the sanc- 
tuary of the dead where reposes a the Fath- 
er of his Country," they shall also stand by 
the grave of him, who shall hereafter be 
held in grateful veneration, as the Martyr 
of Liberty in 1865. 

Peace be to thy ashes. 






